El Mago was at it again Wednesday.
Javy Baez set off some Fourth of July fireworks of his own with an incredible slide and steal of home to knot the score at 2 in the fourth inning of Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers.
Baez singled to lead off the inning, then stole second and advanced to third on a wayward throw from the first baseman. He almost made a trip home on that same play when a throw from the outfield skied over the third baseman. But he apparently had some better tricks — excuse me, illusions — planned for the final 90 feet of his trip around the bases.
Take a look:
You might need to look a few times to see just how Baez got his left hand out of the way of the tag at home plate, but he did. Safe. Game tied.
Baez, who might be taking those magic talents to Washington for the All-Star Game, will almost surely be asked how he executed such a reality-defying slide. But a true magician never reveals his secrets. Unless he wants to get kicked out of the Magicians' Alliance.